Hand truck



Feb. 5, 1929'. 1,701,188

F. J. MILLER HAND muck Filed Jan. 29, 1927 Sheets-Sheet 1 mum/1.2,.

Feb. 5, 1929. 1,701,188

F. J- MILLER "1mm TRUCK Filed Jan. 29. 1927 :5 Sheets- 5110 2' U rmqermuer I Feb. 5, 1929. 1,701,188

F. J. MILLER HAND TRUCK Filed Jan 29, 1 92? a Sheets-Sheet "s- Patented Feb. 5, 1929.

UNITED-STATES g 1,701,188 PATENT OFFICE.

ram) .1. MILLER, or APPLETON, WISCONSIN.

mun Timex.

Application filed January 29, 1927. Serial 110. 184,541.

foot or handof the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brake attachment for hand trucks which may be readily adjusted to fit trucks of varying widths.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel c0nstruction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing is illus trated one com lete example of the physical embodiment o the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof. V

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand truck with the present invention attached thereto. a

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2'2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentarysection taken on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure4 is a detailed section taken on the line H of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailiof one ofthe brake shoes; t V

Figure 6 is a view of a modified construction showing a different form of bracket;

Figure 7 shows the bracket in a different position; a

Figure 8. shows the bracket occupying a diiferent position from that shown in Figures 6 and 7 Figure 9 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the frame work of the truck with parts broken away to illustrate the adjustability of the bracket.

Figure 10 is a perspective View, similar :0 Figure 1, illustrating the modified strucure. v

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, wherein the invention is illustrated in connection with a conventional structure of hand truck, the numerals 1 designate a pairof side frame members having their rear ends terminated in handle grips 2. The side frames are connected at spaced intervals by the transverse braces 3, and are supported at their forward end by a pair of wheels amounted on the axle 5 which is journaled in the brackets 6 secured to the side frame members. j

The present invention, which is designed to lock the wheels 4 when the truck is bei loaded or unloaded, comprises a pair 3% brake shoes 7, the faces of which-are provided with the usual brake lining 8. The hubs 9 of the brake shoes are spl t for the purpose of clampingly receiving a air of rocker shafts 10 which are journa led in aligned bearings 11 carried by the side frames 1. I

As will be best seen in Figure 2, the 30 aligned rocker shafts 10 are spaced apart at their inner ends and are connectedby means of a pedal yoke 12, the arms of which terminate in lit hubs for the reception ofthe rocker sha ts. a 'f From the foregoin it will be seen that" regardless of the wi th of the truckthe Pe al yoke '12 may b adjusted. u v n the j ocker shafts to compensate for en tions. Whenthe rear end Ofthe truck is inclined u wardlyforthe purpose ofloa da ing, or un oading, it jWlll be obvious that the I downward pressure onthe pedal yoke 12 by the foot of the operatorwillcausethebrake shoes to engage the wheels 4 to securely lock the same against movement. I I

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, one of the rocker shafts "10 is projected y beyond its bracket 11 and has adjustably secured thereon a lever 13, which, by means of the rod 14, is operatively connected to a bell crank 15 pivotally carried by one of the. side frames 1. The free endof the bell crank, which serves as an actuating handle, is positioned closely adjacent the handlegrip 2 ofthe side frame 1, thus permitting its actuation without removing the operators hand from the handle grip.- A latch 16 carried by one of the handle grips serves to lock the bell crank in operative position. Aeontractilespringllf 1 in Figure 7 secured to the lever 13 and the side frame 1 serves to normally hold the brake in its free position.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that the present brake attachment may be selectively actuated by either the foot or hand of the operator as desired, or by both, to obtain secure lock of the wheels in instances where the load is exceptionally heavy. To accomplish this, the free or handle end of the bell crank is pulled upwardly and then sprung towards the handle of the truck to be rested on the top of the lug 16, thus retaining the brakes in their locked position. To release the bell crank'lever 15 a slight movement of the hand is required to force the same off of the latch 16.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 9, it will be seen that a different type of bracket is employed. The invention otherwise is the same as that previously described. The new form of bracket is indicated by the reference character 17, and it will be seen that it is provided with a flat apertured boc y portion adapted to receive the attaching bolt 18 of the wheel bracket 19. The bracket 17 is provided with an apertured head 20 which receives the transverse rod 10, previously described.

The bracket may occupy the reverse posi tion as shown in Figure 7 in which case the headQO is spaced away from the wheel 4 and thus provides a different adjustment for the bracket while the bracket is still clamped in place by the use of the bolts 18.

Figure 8 shows a further position adapted to be assumed by the bracket and shows the bracket turned over from the position shown in Figure 7 so that the shaft 10 is raised with reference to its position shown Tliese'adjustments are all secured withoutboring additional holes in the body of thetruckfor the reception of bolts used for securing the wheelbrackets not employed. These brackets are made right and left hand, as shown'inFigure 9, and further 1s to be noted that they are ad ustab both laterally and longitudinally of the bony or frame 1 of the truck. For example, as seen from the right hand portion of Figure 9, the brackets have their body portions 17 provided with L-shaped slots 21 through which the bolts 18 pass. These L-shaped slots permit the sliding of the bracket forwardly or rearwardly or laterally inwardly or outwardly and thus provide a wide range of adjustment for the brackets.

It will be further appreciated that by the use of a pair of spaced rocker arms a very simple, inexpensive structure is permitted wherein the same may be readily fitted upon trucks of various Widths.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and as the scope of such invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim l. The combination of a hand truck con sisting of a pair of side frames, supporting wheels carried thereby, a brake comprising a pair of pivotal brake shoes adapted to engage said wheel, a pair of rocker shafts carrying said brake shoes, means for rocking said shafts, brackets mounted at opposite sides of the truck for carrying said shafts, said brackets'each including a body portion adapted to be bolted to the truck, and liaving a spaced head projecting outwardly from the bolted portion, said head being adapted for location between the securing bolt therefor and the wheel or on the outer side of the securing bolt, whereby the position of the rock shafts may be adjusted.

2. In combinationwith a hand truck consisting of a pair of side frames with supporting wheels carried thereby, a brake comprising a pair of, spaced rocker shafts carried in journals by the side frames, a brake shoe carried by each of said rocker shafts, and means whereby the operator may selectively actuate the brakes either by hand or foot.

3. In combination with the running gear of a truck comprising a pairof supporting wheels, a pair of aligned shafts, an intermediate portion adjustably connecting the axially aligned shafts, a brake shoe adjusts ably carried by each ofsaid aligned shafts, hand operated means connected to one of said aligned shafts for causing the brake shoes to engage the wheels, said intermediate portion providing means whereby the brake shoes may be actuated by feet.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Appleton, in the county of Outagamie and State of Wisconsin.

FRED J. MILLER. 

